Rep. Mike Pence said the US should 'speak a word of support for the people of Iran.'

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Republican Rep. Mike Pence, criticizing President Obama for not saying more in support of protestors in Iran, said Wednesday that he is taking another step to show solidarity for the dissenting citizens of the country.

"I appreciate the fact that the president said the protesters have a right to be heard and represented, and I appreciate the fact that he said he is troubled," Pence said in an interview with Wolf Blitzer on the Situation Room. "But I respectfully disagree with the administration's decision to essentially draw the line at not meddling and not interfering."

Pence, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced a resolution in the House that he said would "speak a word of support for the people of Iran." He said he didn't think the United States should endorse the opposition candidate, but should instead show support for the protesters who are "risking their lives for free and fair elections."

Pence said showing support could lead to a "fresh start" with the citizens of Iran.

"I really believe we may have an opportunity for a fresh start here, not with the tyrants in Tehran, not with Ahmadinejad, who even looks at what this administration is doing and accuses them of meddling," Pence said. "But rather with the good and decent and courageous people of Iran who are stepping forward and risking their liberty and their lives for principles that we as Americans cherish."

soundoff(70 Responses)

hitobito

Mike Pence, where did you get your foreign policy experience? Have you ever been to a middle eastern country for an extended time without armed security. Do you speak any dialect of Arabic or have you studied the Koran or any other religion than Christianity? Before you put your foot in your mouth, go back to Indiana and study about the countries you want to meddle in or attack. If you have a brain, please try to use it! For the record, Mike Pence is a congressman and not a US Senator.

June 17, 2009 08:43 pm at 8:43 pm |

RepubliKLANs Are Stupid As Stupid Does

The Iranians started this struggle for democracy & free and fair election all by themselves.....so let them continue to do what is right and just in their country

Anytime the US butt in then it becomes our problem and thereafter it becomes our fight and they start looking for handouts to fight their cause...we need to take care of our failing economy and skyrocking number of jobless Americans first before we start meddling into another country's affair and revolution!!!

June 17, 2009 08:45 pm at 8:45 pm |

Carl Justus

If pence is so stupid to think if Obama speaks out about the election in Iran it will help the opposition, he has no business in congress. That was the trouble with our last president he got his mouth in motion before the brain woke up.

We need to do just as Obama is doing, stay out of the affairs of another country when their is an election dispute. We do not know if the vote was stolen or not. We do not know if the majority of the Iranian people want a new president or if this just another teed off candidate that was defeated by the vote.

We will have to live with who ever is finally declared president and the ruling clergy regardless and the best thing we can do is keep our mouth shut and let the Iran handle its own affairs.

June 17, 2009 08:47 pm at 8:47 pm |

wishing

If you feel strongly about it, fly there.

June 17, 2009 08:47 pm at 8:47 pm |

virginia for obama

@ Ted – If you been watching the news today? The Iranian Gov. are already claiming that the US is meddling in there election. With that said. It is obvious that they ( Iran gov. ) wants to draw out a statement from the us so they can use it against us and the protesters.

It's sad to see Pence, Mccain and others trying to undermind Obama and put us and the Iranian people in danger just because they want to be re-lected in 2010. Please stop grandstanding! because we know you don't give a darn about Iran or the protesters.

June 17, 2009 08:54 pm at 8:54 pm |

S Callahan

I don't think it's necessary for USA to meddle in this. It's the Iranian young adults/youth who are speaking out and joined by their later year mentors...it's nationwide.....the people have tasted the ideology of freedom and no opposition can quench that..it may quiet it for a moment but the momentum is there now....it won't die. So I guess the best we can do is pray for them..that is what I do. God's speed to you.

June 17, 2009 09:06 pm at 9:06 pm |

Whatz up

Pence needs to shut up and go sit down somewhere. It's because of the GOP incompetence that we are fighting TWO WARS and have lost thousands of young men and women.

Save all your advises for someone who give a darn!!

June 17, 2009 09:08 pm at 9:08 pm |

this will be bloody

anything other than the election as it stands will take force to move beyond

send in the CIA and arm the protesters

June 17, 2009 09:12 pm at 9:12 pm |

Tony in Maine

We have a history of supporting an extremely repressive regime in Iran. We provided the Shah and his police with the tools to defend against the Soviets, but those tools were also used to suppress dissent in Iran.

For Obama to do anything in support of anyone would be counter-productive.

Pence is a grandstanding moron.

June 17, 2009 09:13 pm at 9:13 pm |

Hotdog

Tell me what country interferred in our affairs during the civil rights era? I know that is a tough pill to swallow but it is the same principle.

June 17, 2009 09:14 pm at 9:14 pm |

otto

Before the elections The Repubs branded Iran a terrorist state and axis of evil. Now , with the opportunity to criticize Obama, they suddenly can relate with and want to support the people of Iran.I guess we wont be hearing you guys singing bomb , bomb , bomb Iran anytime soon , truly pathetic.

June 17, 2009 09:19 pm at 9:19 pm |

Lightbulb

So Mr. Pence, would you have welcomed the Iranians coming in to help solve the November 2000 election dispute in the U.S.??? I doubt it............another Repulican't determined to prominently display his sour grapes about the November 2008 election.

June 17, 2009 09:22 pm at 9:22 pm |

JLW in Ala.

Let the republicans keep talking and making fools of themselves. They are just digging their hole deeper and if they continue talking and making idiotic suggestions the American people keep getting more angry with them. What fools !!

June 17, 2009 09:32 pm at 9:32 pm |

Right Leaning Independent

Obama is an appeaser. Why would he criticize someone or another country. He has not conviction in his beliefs as exhibited by his actions..

June 17, 2009 09:37 pm at 9:37 pm |

Brett

USA dont need to help IRAN... IRAN is their choice what they wants to.. USA people need to FOCUS ON THEIR OWN FRAK COUNTRY!

June 17, 2009 09:39 pm at 9:39 pm |

Jay

I do not understand why CNN continues on a daily basis to give the mike to such extereme views from the republicans.
If we are for our freedom and no government interfence in our lifes, and wants to reduce the govt involvement, how come they constantly want our government to keep interfering in other countries issues.

CNN needs to think about how they use the media's open mike to such folks.

June 17, 2009 09:45 pm at 9:45 pm |

Ken in NC

The young people of Iran that seek more freedom already know we support them. Mr. Pence should keep his mouth shut and work on some of the problems we are facing here at home. The government of Iran is already saying we are meddling in their affairs when we have done nothing other than give support to them. Now we can always do it the way Mr. Pence wants so we can have another war on our hands or we can try it the new way of doing things.

June 17, 2009 09:47 pm at 9:47 pm |

m smith

I believe the repos have had their shot at Iran. So they should ashut up and let the current administation have their turn. I can"t believe that they continue to make the stupid remarks that they have. There is a reason for di[lomacy we don't need to blow everything and everyone up to get our point across.

June 17, 2009 09:51 pm at 9:51 pm |

Gary in Oregon

What ever happened to Republican Principles? Like small government. Non-intervention? Isolationism? Mind your own business? (all say the same thing and those are part of the principles of true conservatives.

June 17, 2009 09:56 pm at 9:56 pm |

CAW in MD

I think it is instructive that every expert on the Middle East has said that Obama is playing this situation just about right, while most Republicans are complaining. What conclusion can we draw from those two statements?